Associate Professor Michele Barnes, who heads the Social Dynamics and Environmental Change Lab at the Sydney Environment Institute, emphasizes the urgency for COP30 to move beyond empty promises regarding climate finance for developing nations. She notes that the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025 reveals a staggering need. Developing countries should receive up to $365 billion annually by 2035 to adapt to climate change, yet they only received $26 billion in 2023. This isn’t just a funding gap—it’s a broader failure of global solidarity.
“For communities reliant on reefs and coastal ecosystems, adaptation isn’t merely an expense; it’s a lifeline,” Barnes explains. Many of these communities face increasing risks that threaten their survival and livelihoods. They need to be at the forefront of climate finance and policy discussions.
Barnes argues that COP30 must evolve beyond promises. It must focus on increasing public finance for vulnerable countries, facilitating private investment, and integrating climate adaptation into development plans. Simply providing funds isn’t enough; effective strategies are essential for real change.
As a noteworthy contributor, Barnes was the only Australian on the editorial board for the global report “Resilience Science Must-Knows,” released before COP30. This report aims to guide decision-makers in transforming finance into actionable solutions.
“Resilience isn’t just about building infrastructure,” she states. “It’s about fostering agency and relationships and embracing systems-aware planning to create equitable and sustainable futures.”
Looking ahead to COP31, Australia has a chance to set an example. By prioritizing climate finance that encourages genuine transformation rather than mere recovery, the country could lead the way in taking meaningful action against climate challenges.
To put this into a broader context, a recent study shows that nearly 60% of public opinion now believes that governments are not doing enough to combat climate change. Social media discussions also reflect a growing call for more inclusive and effective climate policies. It’s clear that there’s a shift in how people view climate adaptation and the financing needed to support it. The time for decisive action is now.
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